Dover’s Green School SEND Extension
Purpose-designed SEND extension expanding High Communication and Interaction Needs provision from 16 to 24 places in mainstream setting.
Scope of Works
Our comprehensive delivery includes:
Design and Preparation:
Complete Stage 4 design development across all disciplines
Vegetation clearance and site preparation
Decanting existing activities to temporary accommodation
Groundworks and Foundations:
Traditional strip foundations
Piling and ground beam foundations where required
Surface and foul drainage installation
Demolition works to the existing building
Structural Elements:
Substructure construction
Superstructure brick/block work
Steel framing installation
Pitched roof structure
Installation of pitched and flat roof coverings
External windows and doors
Internal Works:
First-fix mechanical and electrical installations
Drylining and plastering
Ceiling installation
Comprehensive carpentry including internal doors and kitchens
Toilet IPS panels and cubicles
Skirting and window boards
Second-fix mechanical and electrical works
Decorations throughout
Floor coverings installation
Specialist hygiene room fit-out
External Elements:
Installation of two glulam canopies
External fencing
Hard and soft landscaping
Location:
Dovers Green School, Rushetts Road, Reigate, UK
Project Value:
£2,138,345.64
Duration:
Dovers Green School, Rushetts Road, Reigate, UK
Client:
Surrey County Council
Contract:
JCT Design and Build 2016
The Challenge:
The project faced significant challenges from the outset, primarily related to tight design timescales and the need to maintain school operations throughout construction. The 12-week design period was effectively reduced to just 8 weeks following value engineering discussions, creating pressure on the design team to develop complete architectural, structural, drainage, civil, mechanical and electrical designs within this compressed timeframe. Working within an operational school environment required careful planning to minimise disruption to educational activities, particularly for sensitive SEND pupils. Additionally, the need to decant existing activities into temporary classroom accommodation before refurbishment could begin added complexity to the project sequencing.
Our Approach:
Recognising the design time constraints, we implemented an intensive collaboration strategy with weekly on-site and virtual meetings bringing together all design disciplines. This coordinated approach enabled rapid problem-solving and design development despite the compressed timeframe. We worked closely with OSG, our appointed design team, to ensure all elements progressed in parallel, with regular client engagement to maintain alignment with project requirements.
For the school operations, we developed a carefully phased implementation plan that prioritised student welfare and educational continuity. The temporary classroom accommodation was established early to allow decanting of activities from the Children’s Centre, creating a vacant building for refurbishment while maintaining all educational provision. Construction activities were carefully scheduled to minimise noise during sensitive periods such as examinations and coordinated with the school calendar to undertake the most disruptive works during holiday periods where possible.
Overcoming Challenges:
The compressed design period presented a significant challenge that required innovative solutions. To maximise the available 8 weeks, we held intensive design workshops combining all disciplines, enabling collaborative problem-solving and immediate resolution of interdisciplinary issues. Weekly progress meetings with all design teams, held both on-site and virtually, maintained momentum throughout this critical phase. Bi-weekly client meetings ensured alignment with requirements and swift approval of design elements as they developed.
Value engineering discussions occupied approximately 4 weeks at the beginning of the design process, but yielded significant benefits for the project. Our team identified numerous opportunities for cost optimisation without compromising quality or functionality, including reduction of concrete foundation sizes, omission of internal timber framing, alternative insulation products, and specification changes to lighting, mechanical fittings and internal doors. The streamlined BMS system maintained essential functionality while reducing costs. These measures collectively enabled the project to proceed within budget constraints while maintaining the core educational objectives.
Working within an operational school environment required careful planning and continuous communication. We established clear site boundaries and implemented robust safety measures to separate construction activities from school operations. Noise-generating activities were scheduled in coordination with the school calendar to minimise disruption to learning, particularly for sensitive SEND pupils. Regular communication with school leadership ensured awareness of upcoming works and allowed for adjustments to accommodate school activities such as examinations.
Key Achievements:
Although still in progress, this project is already demonstrating significant achievements in expanding SEND provision within a mainstream school setting. The thoughtful design provides purpose-built spaces specifically tailored to the needs of COIN pupils, creating an environment that supports their educational development and integration.
The successful value engineering process delivered substantial cost savings without compromising the educational objectives, demonstrating our ability to optimise project value while maintaining quality and functionality. Our collaborative approach to the compressed design period resulted in comprehensive, coordinated designs across all disciplines within the available timeframe.
The carefully phased implementation has maintained educational continuity throughout the construction process, ensuring no disruption to SEND provision despite the significant works being undertaken. The temporary accommodation solution has provided suitable facilities during the construction phase, allowing educational activities to continue uninterrupted.
Upon completion, the expanded SEND unit will provide high-quality, purpose-designed accommodation for 24 COIN pupils, significantly enhancing the school’s ability to support children with special educational needs. The integration of these facilities within the mainstream school environment supports inclusive education principles while providing the specialised spaces needed for effective SEND provision.